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Old 04-12-2010, 07:53 PM
JLM JLM is offline
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Advice on a 1917 Brazilian Contract 45 ACP Advice on a 1917 Brazilian Contract 45 ACP Advice on a 1917 Brazilian Contract 45 ACP Advice on a 1917 Brazilian Contract 45 ACP Advice on a 1917 Brazilian Contract 45 ACP  
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Default Advice on a 1917 Brazilian Contract 45 ACP

Hi All,

I'm seeking some advice on what to do with a Brazilian contract Model 1917 that I've had for some time. I bought this back in 1989 when a batch of these revolvers came on the market. I shot it quite a bit, but it always shot low - about 8 inches at 25 yards. I filed the front sight down with no significant change. My uncle was a gunsmith and I took it to him after a few years. and he thought the barrel was bent. A range rod stops about an inch from the cylinder. So I asked him to put new barrel on it, thinking I would restore it because I loved the look and the idea of a big fixed sight 45 ACP. My uncle took the original barrel off and it sat in his safe while he searched for a replacement, and I didn't think much about it anymore. He passed away, and I eventually got the gun and barrel back from my aunt. The barrel pin is missing, as is the locking bolt, spring, and pin. I've been looking for a barrel for a while and still no luck, so I'm wondering if it's a hopeless search and I should sell it as a parts gun, or keep looking for another one to piece together one whole gun? I've attached some pictures, including one of the yoke because I'm concerned about a gap between the yoke and frame. I don't know if the frame got sprung in the original removal or later reinstall of the barrel. Sorry for such as long story. Thanks for any info.

John M.



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Old 04-12-2010, 08:05 PM
Timber251 Timber251 is offline
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Hello, I had a thought or two you might find useful. There is a 1917 barrel on auction right now on Gunbroker, NOS which is hard to find now a days. Also, I have heard of guns shooting low when the ammo used has a much lighter bullet than the gun was originally set up for. The effect of recoil actually causes the bullet to strike somewhat higher, even so, I don't think you could make up 8" at 25 yards.
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Old 04-14-2010, 09:08 PM
JLM JLM is offline
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Advice on a 1917 Brazilian Contract 45 ACP Advice on a 1917 Brazilian Contract 45 ACP Advice on a 1917 Brazilian Contract 45 ACP Advice on a 1917 Brazilian Contract 45 ACP Advice on a 1917 Brazilian Contract 45 ACP  
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New barrel is on the way. Thanks for the tip. I'm anxious to get this back into service.
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Old 04-15-2010, 11:03 PM
JLM JLM is offline
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Advice on a 1917 Brazilian Contract 45 ACP Advice on a 1917 Brazilian Contract 45 ACP Advice on a 1917 Brazilian Contract 45 ACP Advice on a 1917 Brazilian Contract 45 ACP Advice on a 1917 Brazilian Contract 45 ACP  
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Anyone have any thoughts about the gap in the third picture? Anything to worry about? Thanks.
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Old 04-16-2010, 05:28 PM
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gaucho1 gaucho1 is offline
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This is a bump to ask someone who knows.
That crane looks weird to me.
I guess if you check the chambers for alignment to the bore,that is the main issue.
With someone removing the barrel,I assume the frame may be slightly sprung or the crane is slightly bent.Does it lock up tightly and evenly?
I'm sure someone has seen and diagnosed this issue.
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Old 04-17-2010, 08:32 AM
JLM JLM is offline
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Advice on a 1917 Brazilian Contract 45 ACP Advice on a 1917 Brazilian Contract 45 ACP Advice on a 1917 Brazilian Contract 45 ACP Advice on a 1917 Brazilian Contract 45 ACP Advice on a 1917 Brazilian Contract 45 ACP  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gaucho1 View Post
This is a bump to ask someone who knows.
That crane looks weird to me.
I guess if you check the chambers for alignment to the bore,that is the main issue.
With someone removing the barrel,I assume the frame may be slightly sprung or the crane is slightly bent.Does it lock up tightly and evenly?
I'm sure someone has seen and diagnosed this issue.
Thanks Gaucho1,
Not sure how to test or what I'm looking for, but I sat with it and some other revolvers last night and compared them. I've also got an 18, 19, 27 and 629. The cylinder rotates and locks the same as the others, It's probably only slightly more "loose" than the others once at full cock though. By that, I mean I can grab the cylinder and it has the tiniest bit more free play than the others do when cocked. Front to back movement of the cylinder is about identical to the newer guns. When cocked, I can't move the cylinder any farther forward in the direction of travel, but I can put pressure on it and shift it back a hair - slightly more than the other guns.
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Old 05-21-2010, 06:46 PM
BHP FAN BHP FAN is offline
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I have a flex neck bore light I got at harbor freight. I'd put the pistol at full cock,and shine the light through the firing pin hole,through the cylinder,and down the barrel.if the cylinder is out of alignment it should then be visible.
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629, gunsmith, lock, model 1917

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